S3-2. Rewiring of a damaged neural pathway via a neural interface induces targeted reorganization of an extensive cortical area

摘要

Regaining the function of an impaired limb is highly desirable in individuals experiencing paralysis. One possible avenue to achieve this goal is through rewiring of preserved neural structures to bridge the interrupted pathway using a brain-computer interface. Here we demonstrated that monkeys with subcortical stroke were able to learn to use an artificial cortico-muscular connection (ACMC), brain-controlled functional electrical stimulation to the hand muscles, to regain volitional control of a paralyzed hand. In a targeted manner, the ACMC induced reorganization of cortical activities among an extensive cortical area; the modulating high-gamma activity became concentrated around an arbitrarily selected cortical site controlling stimulation to the muscles. This reorganization could be reset and rapidly reorganized to a new cortical site. Thus, the ACMC imparted a new function for muscle control to a connected cortical site and triggered cortical reorganization in order to restore impaired motor function after stroke.